This book is wonderfully written. It tells a mini-story of Bach's life in a very child-friendly way. It touches on his birth (and death) and his religious life. The focus is on Bach - not his religion. The artwork is vibrant and I highly recommend the book.

Johann Sebastian Bach was born into a family of musicians. All the Bachs played musical instruments, and young Sebastian was no exception. But even more than the joy of playing, Bach loved composing his own music. "Sebastian heard the music in his head. The melodies came fast- as his pen raced over the page, he rarely changed a note. He heard one melody for the violin, one for the trumpet, one for the flute, and one for the oboe. Each instrument had its own voice. And when all the voices sounded at the same time, it was like good friends talking together." Bach married, had twenty children, and settled in Leipzig where he was the church music and choir director. He worked all day teaching his students and playing the organ, and composed all night as "new music filled Sebastian's head." During his life, Bach wrote over one thousand compositions. It is said that even as he took his dying breath, he was composing one last piece..... Jeanette Winter has written an engaging and informative, introductory picture book biography that brings Bach and his times to life on the page. Her simple, spare, yet eloquent prose is lyrical and poetic, and complemented by her evocative, vibrant, and expressive signature folk art paintings. Together word and art give youngsters a real feeling for the intensity of Bach's great love and devotion to both playing and composing music. Perfect for reading aloud, or for early readers 6-10, Sebastian is a fascinating and entertaining biography that will whet the appetite of budding musicians, and send them out looking for more.

Winter has achieved another perfect picturebook bio for reading aloud (see My Name Is Georgia and Diego Rivera). Simply told, with beautiful language this book is a keeper! Wow, she's an awesome illustrator too! Music teachers across the country should be buying multiple copies for their classrooms! Buy it!

If you play classical guitar, then this is a must have book for your collection. Bach played on classical guitar is a match made in Heaven. Frank Koonce did an excellent job in this book.

My teacher had a copy of this book years ago-- Bach is one of the best composers for classical guitar, and also one of the most difficult. Pick up a good Segovia CD, and if the song is by Bach there's a 99% chance it's in this book.

The whole thing is really well done. It's bound so that you can remove and re-add pages if you want. Some pages flip out. The back contains a set of pictures of many of the pieces as they were originally written or transcribed.

This is a hidden gem of a book.

This is a terrific book. Frank Koonce's selections, and especially his masterly fingering, make this book a must buy for anyone who plays the classic guitar.

Pelikan is a truly amazing and articulate thinker. He seems to intuitively know what is important--whether providing a theological overview of Chrisitan history or, as here, focusing in on a single subject. What I found especially refreshing in BACH AMONG THE THEOLOGIANS is Pelikan's appreciation of Bach as a highly creative man who was truly a man of his own time. He puts to rest (for me anyway) the somewhat artificial argument about the sacred and secular strains in Bach's work. This "tension" ultimately does not seem to have been as big a deal for Bach as it has become for modern historians, musicians, theologians, etc. Perhaps, because Bach's sense of the sacred was much more encompassing than we highly compartmentalized moderns ever allow it to be. In any case, the fact that so many highly divergent groups want to claim Bach as their own is probably sufficient proof of Bach's transcendant greatness.

This is a highly readable--though thoughtful and concentrated--book that deserves to be more broadly available. Perhaps some publisher will see fit to reissue it in paperback. I'd preorder a copy today if that was the case.

This book is a 'must have' for any Bach lover. Pelikan talks about Bach's musical interpretation of text, and his understanding of his faith. His main premise is to place Bach 'Among the theologians' in history, where he rightfully belongs.

I read this book (which I borrowed from the library) 4 years ago, and I am still looking for my own copy. It is an invaluable book for any Bach lover. Pelikan connects Bach musical interpretation of texts with the work of a theologian. His main thesis is that Bach was just as important of a theologian as he was a musician. Interesting reading. This is a 'must have' book!

Johann Ewald was acknowledged by the British for whom and with whom he fought in the American Revolution as one of the best light infantry officers (termed outpost officers) in their service. A dedicated, trained professional from Hesse-Cassel, who was 'hired out' by his sovereign for the American War, he knew his job 'from muzzle to butt plate' and was an excellent leader of men, as well as a shrewd observer of what he saw. Fortunately for us, he also wrote all of it down.

This book is one of the most valuable, if not the most valuable, memoirs of the period. The petite guerre (little war), also called partisan warfare, of the period is of great importance in understanding the picture of the whole for the War of the Revolution. The jagers that Ewald commanded were also some of the most deadly light infantry in the world at the time, and they were greatly feared by their American opponents. Armed with short German hunting rifles and dressed in green and brown, they not only blended in with their surroundings, but they served in almost every action and battle of the war.

Ewald's direct, observant prose paints a vivid picture of the war, his British comrades, and his American opponents. He respected the Americans, especially their officers' attempt at becoming more professional as the war progressed, exemplified by the military books and treatises they read, which Ewald saw from time to time as he came across captured officers' baggage. he was amazed at the American attempts, which he noted were sadly lacking in his brother British officers. He noted this with care.

Ewald ended up in the surrender at Yorktown and was eventually sent home to Germany. His dedicated service service not being recognized by promotion by his sovereign, he resigned from the Hessian service, entered the Danish service, and ended up a general serving Napoleon in 1813. An interesting career, a more than interesting individual, and a superb memoir.

The best first hand account of the War for American Independence I've read. Because Jaegars were used primarily as skirmishers and flankers, it seems he and his men were constantly engaged with the Patriot forces. Also covers often neglected role of Hessian Auxilliaries in the Crown Forces during the American War.

Captain Johann Ewald belonged to a small elite force of German auxiliaries hired by King George III to suppress the American Rebellion. They were the green-clad Jaeger riflemen from Hesse-Cassell. From 1776 to 1781, Ewald fought in almost every major action, often leading the vanguard or guarding the rear of the Royal Army. In this book you get his first hand accounts of those actions, and of the courage of the men around him - like Sgt Bickell who led an 8-man squad round the American flank at the battle of Brandywine, causing it to collapse. Moreover you hear of hundreds of unknown skirmishes fought almost daily with the Americans, of recon missions and fighting patrols deep behind enemy lines. His journal was often written the very same day, or soon after he returned to camp. You can also listen to his insights into the courage and occasional incompetence of his superiors. There are also some humorous anecdotes, and at the end of the book - just to put this warrior in a different light, are several love letters he wrote to a young American beauty from New Jersey. Just in case you're interested, there is further bio info on Ewald from the editor: After the American War, Ewald left the Hessian service - disillusioned at being passed over for promotion because of his common birth. He entered Danish service, became a general, and in this capacity served as an ally of Napoleon, before dying peacefully at a ripe old age. His treatises on Light Infantry combat were highly respected.

Several good books on the subject of sexuality, relationship and marriage have come out recently. But this one tops them all. Arnold writes with such clarity, such depth, such relevance. This book gets at the root. Interspersed with stories and personal anecdotes, Arnold reflects on questions we all think about, but rarely ask: Why are we sexual beings? Why do we long for married love? Why do we hurt so badly when relationships are severed? Why is sexual fulfillment and love so vitally connected?

Arnold reflects on why we yearn for love, why it is that the "dating game" is so dissatisfying, why it is we feel empty when sex is outside of commitment, and why it is that God brings a man and a women together. Arnold pulls no punches. He is brutally honest and yet is able to write with tenderness and compassion. If you long to know what it means to have authentic, truly free relationships where you experience the security of lasting love, then read this book!

In a society immersed in 'sex'. It would be good for the next generation to stop and think deeply about what God has in mind. How do man - woman relationships look when they are under the influence of the Good Spirit? Such reflections early in life help lay a foundation upon which a healthy marriage can be built. This book will help! The foreword by Mother Teresa was one of her last published writings.

Reading "A Plea For Purity", simply thrilled me. I did not expect that an Anabaptist author would be so courageous, and so explicit on this difficult topic. I highly recommend it for young, middle aged, and people who have been married for many years. It is also a very good book for single people.

If you want to read a more complete book check out Arnold's newest book on forgivness. "Why Forgive" This is all of Seventy Times Seven and much more. You have to get it.

Seventy Times Seven is a treasure trove...It is beautiful. Seventy Times Seven is simple, transparent, and caring. Everyone who reads this book will delight in it. It is simple and direct. An awsome Christmas and Anniversary gift.

This is an awsome book. A must for every serious reader. For it covers a subject virtually everyone of us wrestles with. Seventy Times Seven is full of honest and touching stories - many based on personal experiences of the author - These stories model forgiveness in a deeply and profound way. This book is available now and would make excellent Christmas gifts. I have ordered and received copies for every member of my family.

One of the finest and funniest books I have ever read, I suggest to read along "Vida y Hechos de Estebanillo Gonzalez, Hombre de Buen Humor", also a XVII century rogue amidst the 30 years war!!. I find Grimmelhausen book very clever and defenitely a must to anybody who is interested in Europe. Unfortunately I do not read German so I miss many of the jokes, still the book is very well worth cover to cover. I am surprised that such a classic of the German Literature have not got a wider reputation: it is so amusing to read.

Obviously, nobody here cared to tell you what this book is about. It's the story (some say it's autobiographical - some say it's not - The author has been a mercenary captain in the war) about a simple peasant-boy being torn into the chaos and suffering of one of Europe's longesr and THE most devastating war (half of the population in the area died). He gradually advances from being servant to being court-jester and becomes a warleader. The fascinating thing about this is:

a- Even after nearly 400 years it's easy to read.

b- Every aspect of war is described in (sometims painful) detail.

c- It's done by a man who's seen it all. So although it reads like a fantasy novel, it's authentic.

I have read three of this series and am amazed by the core of what Grmm. was saying. Let alone the historical magnitude of a novel like this (One of the first printed material available after Guttenburg did his thing). This guy printed out what seems to me essentially the first Superman comic books. Each chapter of the three (or more) books in this series was printed as a serial. Precursor in some ways to Kafka? Simple(sic) is a hero and a knave. His love (and her Courage) now a gypsy fortuneteller, his old friend a beggar. Of course Simple finds God in the end, but it is old German stuff ain't it!

If you want to learn advanced harmony, there is no better place to learn it than from the Master himself.

When I was a student at Interlochen, the last music theory assignment was to copy a German chorale melody without seeing Bach's harmonization, harmonize it, and compare one's own harmonization with Bach's harmonization.

Humiliating!

This is a nice edition to have. Playing two Bach chorales every morning is kind of like doing some jumping jacks and eating a spoonful of codliver oil...which is to say, good for you. After playing the first 120 you can expect some chorale fatigue to set in, but all the while you'll be absorbing good voice-leading and voice-doubling technique as though by osmosis. What's more, Bach will still surprise you- there are chords so jarring and dissonant that their sudden, logical resolution is like watching a rabbit being pulled out of a hat.

On the downside, the notes are small (this edition really packs 'em in) and it can be easy to get lost on the page. No texts are provided, either, aside from the opening words, so you have to accept on faith that some of the more contorted harmonizations are justified by the text. It's still nice to have, though, and looks nice and musicological sitting on the piano.

Pachelbel Canon in D is thee greatest songs ever. It is also a great wedding song.

The music book of Canon in D , created by Johann Paehelbel , the version is Masterpiece Edition.

I found this collection of guitar pieces for Bach quite eloquent. Mr. Harris presents a well-organized collection that I found easy to follow. His textual analysis preceeding the sheets offers expert guidelines for playing Bach on guitar--something many classical musicians may never have considered. In reality, I'm just putting in a good word for my brother. This book genuinely expands the cannonical concept of the classical guitar.

bach and the guitaar are made for eachother. even though he didn't write anything for guitar, it just fits